Leave Me by Gayle Forman - Reshelved Books

Hello Deweys!

I have SOOO many books in my to-read pile, it's insane.  Really, it's definitely become a problem.  But despite my current overflow, I bought Gayle Forman's adult fiction novel, Leave Me, at Barnes and Noble the other week, and I don't feel guilty.  I read this book in ONE day.  It was that good.  And even if I didn't read it in a day, it's not hoarding if it's books, right?

So has anyone ever fantasied about running away?  I have! *Raise Hand*  I even took a mini vacation alone recently, but it wasn't as wonderful as my fantasy made me think it would be.  So the premise of the book is sort of like that, a woman who fantasizes about running away, and does.

So in this novel, Maribeth is a mother of two twins.  She lives in the very expensive NYC, so both her and her husband work full-time to support their family.  Between, work, family, and the constant running around of day to day life, Maribeth is exhausted. She's so busy and so involved with her family that she doesn't even realize that she's having a heart attack.  Her gyno realizes something  isn't right with her when she reluctantly goes for a long overdue regular visit.  So Maribeth needs heart surgery.   Her husband calls her mother over to stay and help out at the house, and sure the husband pitches in a little bit, but after a couple weeks the family sort of stops helping.  She's not healed, she needs a break, and she feels like no one cares.  Honestly, it comes across as though they take her for granted.  So, Maribeth leaves a note, withdraws like $25k from their account and moves to.... a city in PA  (Pittsburgh or Philly  I can't remember which...)

This is where the book takes a turn for the fantasy.  She moves to PA, lives a new life in PA, has no contact with her family or young children, misses Thanksgiving....
and....

***Mini Spolier***
Despite her many months of silence, the book ends neat, tidy, and happy.

Is this book realistic?  No.  Do many women (and men) feel like running away?  Definitely?  Would things end well if they did and changed their mind?  Probably not.  My conclusion: If you view this book as an exploration of a fantasy, you'll love it.  If you view it as realistic women's fiction, you won't.  I personally loved the writing, the pace, and the fantasy exploration, so I'm giving it 5 out of 5 Coffee Beans.

~Jessica